Water closet or defecator



July 4, 1939. w. C. GROENIGER WATER CLOSET 0R DEFECATOR Filed Dec. 31,1937 Patented July 4, 1939 1 31 WATER CLOSE-T 0R DEF-EGATOR WilliamGroeniger, Qhio, assignor to JohnB. Pierce Foundation, NewYork, N.

a corporation of New orl Application December s1,:19s7.,..seiar$1,182,752

. 13' Claims.

This invention relates to improved water closets or defecators. I a Moreparticularly the invention is directed to closet bowls and therewith"combined seat and flush rim means, constructed to positively 'precludeany syphonage of the contentsof thebowl into the water supply systemunder all possible status of operation including vacuu and/or otherabnormal conditions. 5 The invention is applicable to any desired typeof closet bowl structure and to-any-"desi'red arrangement of watersupply and-manner of discharge of the contents-of the bowl into-a soilpipe or equivalent. l Preferred embodiments of the invention-,'-attaining the above and other objectives,=comprise a water supply channelmechanically directly associated with the closet bowl per so, as byunitary structure therewith, a wall, serving in common as a portion ofthe wall of the bowl proper and of the water supply channeL beingequipped with an opening leading to th'e interior of the bowl'proper andlocate'd at a' clearance appreciably above the overflowspilllevel-of thecloset bowl, that is to say; at aposition 'vertically appreciably abovethe highest possible-level of the contents of the bowl at which spillingflow over the upper rim takes pla'ces Such opening, accordingly,functions under all possible status of normal or abnormal conditionsofopera-tion including vacuum condition; a's an air break effective indissipating such vacuum.

In coordination with such air-"break means, the flush rim isconstructedmechanically' indipendently of the closet bowl structureper=se and desirably mechanical-1y directly" associated with the seat.Preferably; the' flush 'ri mdsdi rectly carried by the seat and mostpreferably the flush rim and seat are mechanically formed as a-unit.

Such combined seat-flush rim structure may be pivotally mounted toprovide -movement of the same to lowered position and toraised-position, a range of movement usually over an arc ofapproximately degrees, 'i-nwhich atter position the flush rim structureinclusiveof its rim jet openings are brought.into-"wholly accessibleposition, affording full inspection and: repair if necessary, readycleansing .or sanitary treatment, and other advantages whollyunavailable in the conventional closet bowl having its flush rim ofintegral structure J with'fthe upper rim of the bowl. Y, .1

Such arrangement of flush rim mechanically separate from the closet.bowl per'ses enablestm ilush' rim structure to be formed of any suitablemoldable-material such as Bakelite and other: synthetic or commonplastic compositions, affording full scope of any desired type ofarrangement I of openings. andinsured finalstatus of jet 1 opening,size. and shape.

If =desired, the bowl proper may be formed of conventional'material,such as porcelain or other baked compositiens, cast metal, etc. Byreason of the structure of :the flush rim being mechanically separatefrom the structure of the closet bowl: parse, the stated rim may beformed of more readily fashionedand: controlled material, such 'as sheetmetal. V J

i As abovegenerally set forth, the statedopem ing :1 located in la vwallof the bowl-water supply channel l and. disposed appreciably above theoverflow spill level of the bowl, functions to discharge flushing waterinto the bowl; preferably,

'such ope11-ing: is arranged and constructed to *scour the inner racesof the bowl, usually at lthe rear of the bow'liSuch opening,accordingly, is locatednat alposition intermediate the water.distributions'ystem supplying the flushing water and t-he fius'hdim-openings, thus constituting a dual air breakarrangement of ampletotal crosssectional :areafor the-entry of air ,.in. the event ofaavacuum in the water distribution system, in dissipation of suchvacuum.Preferably, such "openingdsslocated(in the wall of the bowl at a levelabove the level oi discharge of the flush mime-openings;giving rise toatwo-level: flush discharge;f.',

JI- he' above objectives and. additional advantages iare attained .inpreferred; embodiments. of the presentinvenltion by extending upwardlythe rear swall stmcture o1v itheicbowl and locating therein the statedair breaktopening, thus locating the l'same..-a' marked vn'learanceabove the overflow ,spill ileveliof the bowl; Advantageouslvin such mpreferred embodiments of the present invention, Ethel-aperture effectingcommunication between atheliwater supply channel and the combined,seateflush .rimstructure. is similarly located at -an;elevation-abeyelthe lupper rim of the bowl rwi-llrbeimo're fullyunderstood from the following -detail-iidescription and the accompanyingdraw- --i1f1g, in:W'hiCh 5-;

. Fig. mesa vertical atrial of a closet bowl typi- 115.45

Fnrther-featureswand objects of the invention cal of a general form ofcloset bowl, provided with cross connection preventing means andequipped with combined seat means and rim flush means pursuant to theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, partly broken away through its rimflush means, in horizontal section.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectioncorresponding to a portion of Fig. 1,showing the combined seat and rim flush means moved to raised position.

Referring to the drawing, the closet bowl l0 may be of any desired formof construction and arranged for any desired manner of discharge. By anyform of construction I include closet bowls of the conventional syphonwash-down type, syphon jet type, blow-out, i. e., ejector type, combinedbowl and tank type, hopper type, or of the momentum jet type, the lastnamed usually including a vortical jet opening.

Mechanically directly associated with such bowl It, pursuant to thepresent invention, is provided a water supply channel I I having anintake opening Ila, suitably arranged for connection with a flush tank,piping equipped with a flushometer valve, etc., as preferred. Asillustrated in the drawings, the water supply channel is desirablyintegral with the structure of the bowl proper l0.

Asshown in the drawing, the wall l2 serving in common as a wall of thewater supply channel I I and an upper wall portion of the bowl properH3, is equipped with an opening I3 communicating at its upper end withthe interior of the water supply channel II and having its lower end l3adisposed in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, andpreferably constructed to direct one or more jets in scouring relationwith such inner face of the bowl proper.

A structural and functional feature of the present invention resides indisposing the lower end |3a of such opening l3 at a clearance verticallyabove the overflow spill level of the closet bowl, for the purposesherein set forth.

Pursuant to the invention suitable seat means and therewith mechanicallyassociated flush rim means are provided, and suitably mounted to affordproper support for the same when the flush rim means is in positionadjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl proper, under condition offlushing, to effect thorough scouring of the inner walls of the bowlproper.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, the seat means andtherewith mechanically associated flush rim means are structurallyunited. The seat per se I4 may be of any conventional configurationand/or material. Suitably associated with such seat l4, pursuant to thepresent invention, is a rim flush member [5 carried by the seat in anysuitable manner. Such rim flush member may be formed of any suitablematerial, advantageously of moldable material such as Bakelite, or ofsuitable nature to be formed to have a hollow interior, see l5a, ofsuitable volumetric capacity and contour, and provided with rim openingsI5b of selected individual volumetric capacity to afford during thestage of flushing, jets suitably directed to scour the inner wall Iileof the bowl ID in compliance with the requirements of sanitary codes.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of means forinsuring an effective clearance between the rim jet openings l5b whenthe combined seat and flush rim means are in lowered position and at aclearance vertically appreciably above the overflow spill level of thecloset bowl. As illustrated in the drawing, such provision of means ishad by suitable bumper or other means, I5, advantageously carried at theunder wall face of the combined seat-flush rim means, providing for suchclearance above the rim of the bowl when the combined seat-flush rimmeans are in lowered position.

Suitable communication affording means is provided between the interiorof the water supply channel I I and the member l5 serving as the flushrim channel, during the stage of flushing, when the combined seat-flushrim means is in lower position. Such communication is attained pursuantto the embodiment illustrated in the drawing by a pivotal mounting ofthe combined seatflush rim means, as by seat posts IT, IT, suitablysecured to the structure of the bowl, such as to the indicated wallportion Ila, and by a hollow extension I8 suitably communicating withthe flush-rim member I5 as by integral wall connection therewith. Thewalls of the opening IBa of such hollow wall extension make effectivewater-tight communication with the interior of the water supplycompartment when the combined seat-flush rim member I5 is in its loweredposition. As is shown in the drawing, such communication is had by theprovision of an aperture IS in a wall of the water supply channel.

Accordingly, under the condition of supply of water to the water supplychannel II, assuming the combined seat-flush rim means I4, l5, to be inlowered position, such flushing water is in part directed to theparticular jet or jets or equivalent, such as the jet 22 suppliedthrough the channel 22a. leading from the water supply channel II, toeffect the desired manner of discharge of the contents of the bowl asthrough the discharge passage 23, and in part directed dually throughthe one or more jet wall scouring openings I3, and through the apertureI9 and thence through the hollow wall extension I8 and the hollowinterior I5a of the combined seat-flush rim means, and finally throughthe rim jet openings I5b. Desirably, the terminal wall portion of theopening I8a of the extension I8 is suitably contoured as by outwardlydivergent flaring to make an effective water seal with the lower endwall formation of the aperture l9.

Succeeding such flushing stage, assuming the combined seat-flush rimmeans to be moved to its raised position, any residue of theflushingwater remaining in the flush rim l5 drains out under gravity through thenow-free opening I811.

The opening or openings I3 are preferably suitably contoured to effect afiat, fanwise pattern. of discharge therefrom, such discharge patternincreasing in area of coverage below the rim level of bowl I0. Suchfanwise discharge affords full and complete scouring of the rear upperside walls of the stated bowl, inclusive of the upper portion of rearledge 25; accordingly opening l3 supplements rim-jet openings I521 inthoroughly washing the upper surface of the bowl interior. 7 In theevent that the combined seat-flush rim means is in partial or fullraised position, should the flush tank, flushometer or the like heoperated, such flushing water is discharged from the water supplychannel II partly through the jetdischarging means 22, or equivalent,partly through the aperture l9, and jointly through the one or more jetopenings l3, the aforesaid taking place to the exclusion of the supplyof water to the interior |5a of the combined seat-flush rim means.

In the circumstance of a vacuum or other abnormal condition in the waterdistribution system supplying the flushing water, any syphonage of thecontents of the bowl into the water distribution system is positivelyprecluded by the inflow of atmospheric air into chamber ll through theone or more jet openings I3, the cross-sectional area of which isdesigned to exceed the crosssectional area of the piping leading to theflushtank or the piping equipped with a flushometer valve or equivalentnormally supplying the flushing water. Such area of opening permitsinflow of air in quantity sufiicient to cause an immediate dissipationof the vacuum condition. Should the combined seat-flush rim means be inits lowered position, the aperture I9 functions to add the totalcross-sectional areas of the flush rim openings I5b to that of theopening or openings I3, in the assistance of dissipation of such vacuumcondition, thus precluding cross-connection.

From the above, it appears that the invention embodies dually operativeprovision of means for the entry of air under all status of operation ofthe bowl, in dissipation of any vacuum and/or in the circumstance ofother abnormal conditions affecting the bowl and/or the supply offlushing water thereto.

As appears from the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, the objectives of the invention are attained by extendingthe wall and other rearward portions of the bowl definitely upwardlyabove the top rim of the bowl proper, thus locating the air breakopening l3 and the flush communication aperture l9, at marked clearanceabove the overflow spill level of the bowl. Such rovision of meansaffords a definite downgrade path of flow of the flushing water from thewater supply channel to and through the flush rim, thus enhancing theefficiency of flushing operation.

In particular, the present invention provides for a multi-levelintroduction of flushing water to the bowl, effecting under normaloperation status of the bowl, the discharge of the flushing water intothe interior of the bowl, when the combined seat-flush rim structure isin lowered position. Desirably, such multi-level introduction offlushing water, as appears from the foregoing, provides for theintroduction of flushing water into the bowl initially at a. point belowthe normal level of fluid therein, such mass of fluid being known as thetrap sealing liquid and established in level by the elevation of the damor weir 24 of the evacuator 23, and before appreciable discharge throughrim-jet orifices 15b or opening or openings I3. As will be obvious,during the stage of cessation of flushing, rim-jet openings I51) andopening or" openings I3 will be free of water and hence open toatmospheric air before the completion of flow of water through passage22a. 7

As appears also hereinabove, the invention provides for the safedisposal of the flushing water, under all status of position of thecombined seatflush rim structure and for the safety of the parts of thebowl, in the circumstance of shutting off of the water distributionsystem in the event of freezing temperature.

Whereas this invention has been illustrated and described with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is clearly understood that changesmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a closet bowl, including a water supply channelunitarily constructed therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening affordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a locality in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, ofseat means and therewith mechanically associated rim flush means, meansfor displaceably relating said seat means and said rim flush meansrelative to the upper rim of the closet bowl to afford variant positionof said seat means and said rim flush means from supported positionrelative to the upper rim of the closet bowl to a position remote fromsuch supported position, and means affording communication between saidwater supply channel and the interior of said rim flush means when saidseat means and rim flush means are in rim supported position.

2. The combination with a closet bowl, including a water supply channelunitarily constructed therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening affordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a locality in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, thepoint of discharge of said opening being substantially above theoverflow level of said bowl, of seat means and associated therewith rimflush means, means for movably mounting said seat means and said rimflush means in common relative to the closet bowl to afford movement ofthe same from a position remote therefrom, means for limiting themovement of said rim flush means when in position adjacent the upper rimof the closet bowl, and means affording communication between theinterior of said rim flush means and said water supply channel when saidseat means and rim flush means are in position adjacent the upper rim ofthe closet bowl.

3. The combination with a closet bowl, including a water supply channelunitarily constructed therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening afiordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a locality in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, ofseat means and mechanically associated therewith rim flush.

means, means for movably mounting said seat means and said rim flushmeans in common relative to the closet bowl to afford movement of thesame from a position remote therefrom,

means for limiting the movement of said rim flush means when in positionadjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl, and means affordingcommunication between the interior of said rim flush means and saidwater supply channel when said seat means and rim flush means are inposition adjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl, said communicationaffording means comprising an aperture communicating with said Watersupply channel.

4. The combination with a closet bowl, including a water supply channelunitarily constructed therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening affordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a locality in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, ofseat means and mechanically associated therewith rim flush means, meansfor movably mounting said seat means and said rim flush means in commonilk) relative to the closet bowl to afford movement of the same from aposition remote therefrom, means for limiting the movement of said rimflush means when in position adjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl,and means affording communication between the interior of said rim flushmeans and said water supply channel when said seat means and rim flushmeans are in position adjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl, saidcommunication affording means comprising an aperture communicating withsaid water supply channel, said aperture disposed forwardly of saidfirst-mentioned water-discharge opening.

5. The combination with a closet bowl, including a water supply channelunitarily constructed therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening affordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a locality substantially above the level of overflow of saidbowl and in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, and providingfor fan-shaped discharge against such bowl face, of seat means andassociated therewith rim flush means, means for movably mounting saidseat means and said rim flush means in common relative to the closetbowlto afford movement of the same from a position remote therefrom,means for limiting the movement of said rim flush means when in positionadjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl, and means affordingcommunication between the interior of said rim flush means and saidwater supply channel when said seat means and rim flush means are inposition adjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl, said communicationaffording means comprising an aperture communicating with said watersupply channel.

6. The combination of a closet bowl, including a water supply channelunitarily constructed therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening affordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a locality substantially above the level of overflow of saidbowl and in proximity of an inner face of the bowl proper, of seatmeans, said opening having cross section area suitable for the admissionof atmospheric air to said water supply channel in quantities sufficientfor immediate dissipation of any degree of sub-atmospheric pressurecondition within said channel, rim flush means carried by said seatmeans, means affording common movement of said seat means and said rimflush means from a position adjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl toa position remote therefrom, means for limiting the common movement ofsaid seat means and said rim flush means when in position adjacent theupper rim of the closet bowl, and means affording communication betweenthe interior of said rim flush means and said water supply channel whensaid seat means and said rim flush means are in position adjacent theupper rim of the closet bowl.

'7. A defecator including, in combination, a bowl, a water supplychannel communicating therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper, said wall provided with a bowl-wallscouring discharge port affording communication between the Water supplychannel and the interior of the bowl at a locality in proximity of aninner face of the bowl proper and substantially above the maximumoverflow level of said bowl, and rim flush means effective to dischargewater against the upper lli-' terior wall of said bowl from a pointabove the rim of the said bowl, said first-mentioned discharge portbeing disposed at a level above said rim flush means.

8. A defecator comprising a bowl normally containing a mass of fluidarranged to receive waste matter for ultimate discharge from saiddefecator, means for effecting such discharge by the admission of avolume of water thereto, such admission of water effective to restorethe normal level of such fluid mass after the discharge of the firstmentioned fluid mass; said discharge means including a water supplychannel, a water-flow passage extending therefrom and communicating withsaid bowl at a point below the normal fluid level thereof, a water-flowpassage extending from said water supply channel and arranged todischarge water around a portion of the interior side walls of said bowlfrom a point above the maximum attainable fluid level of said bowl, anda water-flow passage extending from said water supply channel andarranged to discharge against a portion of the interior side walls ofsaid bowl.

9. A defecatorcomprising a bowl normally containing a mass of fluidarranged to receive waste matter for ultimate discharge from saiddefecator, means for effecting such discharge by the admission of avolume of water thereto, such admission of water effective to restorethe normal level of such fluid mass after the discharge of the firstmentioned fluid mass; said discharge means including a water supplychannel, a water-flow passage extending therefrom and communicating withsaid bowl at a level below the normal fluid level thereof, a water-flowpassage extending from said water supply channel and arranged todischarge water around a portion of the interior side walls of said bowlfrom a level above the maximum overflow spill level of said bowl, and awater-flow passage extending from said water supply channel and arrangedto discharge against a portion of the interior side walls of said bowlfrom a level above the level of said second-mentioned discharge means.

10. A defecator comprising a bowl, means for evacuating the. contents ofsaid bowl, said means including a water supply channel associated withsaid bowl and having a water-flow passage communicating therewith at apoint below the normal water level in said bowl, and means for washingthe upper interior walls of said bowl, said means comprising a pluralityof discharge jet orifices, each of limited water flow capacity, directedagainst the inner wall of said bowl from a point above the level ofwater overflow from said bowl and cumulatively scouring the greaterportion of the periphery of said inner wall and a discharge orifice ofsubstantially greater water flow capacity arranged to discharge wateragainst the rear inner wall of said bowl from a level above that of thesaid discharge jet orifices.

11. In a defecator, a bowl, a water supply channel communicatingtherewith and arranged to discharge water thereinto to effect evacuationof the contents of said bowl, rim-jet means disposed adjacent the rim ofsaid bowl and communicating with said water supply channel to effect awashing of the upper sides of said bowl during the evacuation thereof,said rim-jet means disposed above the point of overflow of said bowl,and means communicating with said water supply channel and providing fordivergent fanwise discharge of water into said defecator bowl at therear thereof, said last-mentioned means disposed at a level above thelevel of said rim-jet means.

12. A defecator comprising, in combination, a bowl, a water supplychannel communicating therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening affordingcommunication between the water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a location substantially above the level of overflow of saidbowl, seat means, a rim flush channel arranged to scour the greaterportion of the upper interior wall of said bowl, means for movablymounting said rim fiush channel relative to the closet bowl to affordmovement of the same from a position adjacent the upper rim of thecloset bowl to a position remote therefrom, means affordingcommunication between said rim flush channel and said water supplychannel, and means for disposing said rim flush channel when in positionadjacent the upper rim of the closest bowl at a position above themaximum overflow spill level of said closet bowl.

13. A defecator comprising, in combination, a bowl, a water supplychannel communicating therewith, a wall in common with such water supplychannel and the bowl proper being provided with an opening afiordingcommunication between the Water supply channel and the interior of thebowl at a location substantially above the level of overflow of saidbowl, means for scouring the greater portion of the upper interior wallof said bowl, said bowl scouring means including a plurality of jets andmeans for supplying water thereto, means for movably mounting said rimflush means relative to the closet bowl to afford movement of the samefrom a position adjacent the upper rim of the closet bowl to a positionremote therefrom, and means for disposing said rim jet openings at aposition above the maximum overflow spill level of the bowl,when saidrim flush means are disposed adjacent the upper rim of said bowl.

WILLIAM C. GROENIGER.

